Alexa Demie on Moving Beyond 'Euphoria': Fame, Instinct & What's Next

Alexa Demie is reflecting on a major chapter closing as HBO's hit series Euphoria comes to an end.

The actress, who portrays Maddy Perez throughout the show's run, recently sat for an in-depth conversation with novelist Ottessa Moshfegh in the pages of i-D magazine. The interview touches on her experience with the series, navigating fame in Hollywood, and where her career heads from here.

The magazine hits newsstands June 5 at Architecture Books in Los Angeles and June 9 at Climax in New York.

On the constraints of fame

Demie addressed the difficulty of losing anonymity in public spaces. "I like to be independent, and I like to go places alone, so it feels a little restricting," she explained. "I'm naturally already a bit of a hermit, and I think it definitely added to that."

On ambition and celebrity

When asked about the widespread desire for fame, Demie offered a straightforward take: "I don't think anyone wants that, but, yes, they do. There's a lot of people that want to be famous. It's a thing."

Landing the role

Demie recalled the exhilaration of booking her breakthrough part. "Oh, my God. It was such a high," she said. "Season one, it was this freshness, this newness, this joy, and this excitement. Getting the role, I remember I read the script like, 'Holy s–t.'"

The show's legacy

Reflecting on Euphoria's cultural footprint, Demie acknowledged the uncertainty around its impact while affirming its significance. "I don't know what it did for people, if it did anything, or if it's just entertainment. But it did something. I know that. Now I'm ready for the next adventure."

Her creative approach

When discussing character development, Demie emphasized the balance between preparation and spontaneity. "I trust instinct," she said. "Before I begin, I do structure. I write. To me, that's the structure. But then when I'm on set, it's pure instinct. I just call her in."

On artistic evolution

Demie stressed the importance of growth and change. "As a human, as an artist, we're here to evolve and grow, and we don't want to just keep doing the same thing over and over again."

Finding meaning in struggle

She also offered perspective on difficult experiences: "Distress is such a gift. It's such a gift."

For the full interview, visit i-d.co.